Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu blamed Iran on Sunday for what he described as
an attempted Hezbollah attack against Israeli targets in Cyprus, the second time
this month he has pointed a finger at Tehran for attempted terrorist attacks
against Israelis abroad.

Earlier this month he charged that Iran planned
an attack against Israeli targets in Kenya after two Iranians were arrested on
June 25 for possession of 15 kilograms of explosives.

Cypriot authorities
on July 7 arrested a 24-year-old Swedish passport holder of Lebanese descent,
after he tracked the movement of Israeli tourists on the
island.

Netanyahu, at the weekly cabinet meeting, said: “This attempted
terrorist attack was under Iranian auspices. It is part of an Iranian plan. Iran
perpetrates terrorism in Asia, Europe and America – it attempted to assassinate
the Saudi Ambassador to the US. Iran perpetrates terrorism in the Middle East
and, of course, we call on the international community to take urgent action
against Iran, which is the biggest exporter of terrorism in the
world.”

Cypriot Justice and Public Order Minister Loucas Louca said
authorities were waiting for the results of their investigation before releasing
further information.

“This is a serious and delicate case and any
statements may harm the case,” he told reporters on Sunday.

A Cypriot
government source said the arrest took place following information from foreign
intelligence agencies.

An Israeli official said the Mossad was involved
in the investigation. Asked if a Mossad tip had prompted the arrest, the
official declined comment.

Netanyahu accused Iran earlier this year of
being behind attacks – both attempted and carried out – on Israeli targets in
Georgia, India and Thailand.